Improvement in washing-machines



e. w. mDGwAY.

Improvement in Washing-Machines.

P atented'Aug.-1s, .18?2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BIDGWAY, OF GARNETT, KANSAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,533, dated August 13, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE W. RIDGWAY, of Garnett, in the county of Anderson and in the State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing- Machines; and I do hereby'declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specication, in which- Figure lis aplan view ofthe upper side of my device, and Fig. 2 is avertical central section of the same,`on line x x, of Fig. l.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the gures.

My invention is an improvement in a class of devices employed for cleansing soiled clothing by mechanical means 5 and it consists in the construction and combination of the'oper` ating portions of the machine, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawing, Arepresents a tub or reservoir constructed, preferably, with vertical sides and outward sloping ends, as shown. Secured to and extending vertically upward from each side ofthe reservoir, at its longitudinal center, is a standard, B, the upper end of which is connected with the corresponding end of the opposite standard by means of a cross-bar, C, the whole forming a support for a swinging fra-me composed of two vertical bars, D, connected together by means of two cross-bars, E and' F, placed near their longitudinal centers. The upper end of the swinging frame is pivoted to or within the standards B, by means of a metal rod, G, which passes horizontally through suitable openings at or near the upper ends of the bars D, and through a slot `b formed within the contiguous portion of each standard, said slots being lengthened vertically, so as to permit said bar and the frame to have a slight motion in such direction, in addition to the usual swinging motion of the latter upon said bar. Journaled to and between the lower ends of the bars D is a cylinder, composed of two circular disks, H, secured to or upon a, shaft, I, and connected together by means of a series of semicircular bars, K, secured at equidistant points to or upon their peripheries. Immediately beneath the journaled cylinder is placed a rack composed of a series of semi- O, which extends between their ends, and

furnish a means whereby the swinging frame may be operated. Upon or between the bars D, near their upper ends is a'boX, l?, open at the top, within which it is intended to place suitable weights for the purpose of regulating the pressure of the pivoted cylinder upon the clothing. It will be seen that such pressure can be varied at will by adding to or taking from the contents of said box.

The device is new compl ete., and is operated as follows: A quantity of boiling suds, sufli-` cient to just cover the lowest portion of the rack, is placed within the reservoir, and the clothing to be cleaned placed upon said rack, having been previously soaked in water. The swinging frame is now moved to and fro upon or over said clothing upon which the cylinder bears, and, pressing the said clothing against the bars L, expresses the water and' dirt; while the slots through which the pivotal rod G passes enable said frame to rise or fall as the varying thickness of the clothing requires. By continuing this operation for a short time, dependent upon the amount of cleansing required, the clothin g is thoroughly freed from dirt.

Having thus fully set fort-h the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new` 1s- In a washing-machine, the combination of a swinging frame, D and F, weight-box P,

journaled ribbed cylinder EI, and semieircular i ribbed rack L, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of June,.1872.

GEORGE WASHINGTON RIDGWAY.

Vitnesses:

A. M. THoRN, ALEX. MeGoRMIcu. 

